Has excellent size, with tall, thick, and long-armed frame. Uses his long arms well to get extension and leverage at the point of attack. Can keep the shorter-armed guards from getting into his body. Makes him a very effective stack and shed defender at the point of attack, able to get off blocks and fill running lanes. Has nice burst for his size as well, flashing the first step to penetrate and be disruptive. Can attack a guard's outside shoulder when lined up at the three-technique with enough burst to get him off-balanced. Has very good strength and is able to get his hands inside and bull rush his way into the backfield when working against the center. Shows decent range at times, able to get out and chase down runners to make plays in pursuit. Flashes a swim, rip, and spin move to beat the guard. Has a pretty solid motor. Does a nice job getting his long arms up to bat down throws and can also make him an effective field goal blocker.

CONS:

Not really a disruptor and doesn't make a ton of plays in the backfield. Has only straight-line speed that lacks any real pass rush moves to beat the blocker. Gets beat off the snap by the double team and has difficulty there. Not as effective when he's facing a blocker that can equal him in strength. Has underdeveloped technique and guy that tends to rely on outmuscling his opponents. Tends to get overextended too often when trying to get initial leverage against the run off the snap. Will get too easily chipped by a lead blocker in similar situations. Despite his range potential, at times struggles to make plays in space.

OVERVIEW:

Brockers was only a redshirt sophomore, but really emerged this year as a strong interior presence against the run. But he also flashes the physical tools that with more development he could become a more effective pass rusher. Had he opted to stay at LSU for another year or two, he had the potential to challenge Glen Dorsey as their top D-line prospect in recent memory. But as such, he decided to go pro, and potentially enters the league fairly raw. The upside is still there, and he has the ability and potential to play in either a 3-4 or 4-3, but whatever team drafts him might have to be a bit more patient as he's still developing. He played a variety of positions in LSU's multiple sets, but seemed at his best when he was lined up directly over the guard, center, or tackle and thus could use his strength to bully his opponent.

Brockers is a talented prospect, but smacks of a boom/bust guy. If he continues to develop and start to grow and live up to his physical tools, he can be a very good NFL player. If not, then he'll be fairly middling. In that sense, he reminds you of past LSU defensive lineman that have been highly-touted but have for the most part failed to live up to NFL expectations. Some names include Dorsey, Marcus Spears, Claude Wroten, Chad Lavalais, Jarvis Green, and Tyson Jackson. Thus, there is a buyer's beware with him. He's probably not going to come in right away and be a huge contributor. He may take the better part of 3 years before you can start to get consistent production from him. And even then, he may only be a good run defender, and be marginal as a pass rusher. He has the potential to improve as a pass rusher because of his size and quickness but generally speaking guys don't suddenly become good pass rushers in the NFL when they weren't in college. I think for Brockers, the ideal scheme for him will be playing as 3-4 end. Most of his better play came when he was stacking and shedding and holding the point of attack. When he faced lesser guards that didn't have ideal NFL size and/or strength, he tended to dominate them. But what worries you about that is that when he gets to the NFL and is going to be facing those types of players all of the time, he could struggle at least initially. Like many collegiate interior defenders, he's used to being the bigger, stronger player, even in the SEC, and it can lead to bad habits and a steep learning curve in the NFL. If he goes to a team that isn't going to rush him into the lineup and is willing to bring him along slowly for 2-3 years, then I think he can wind up being a very good NFL player. But another team that is looking for an immediate impact player is probably going to be looking back 2-3 years from now and be very disappointed similar to how the Chiefs have been with Tyson Jackson, or Dallas was with Spears. I think he can play in a 4-3, but his length to impact is probably a bit longer. And ideally, that will be a 4-3 with a lot of two-gap principles, where his job will be to free up the linebackers rather than be disruptive and make the plays himself.

NFL COMPARISON:

Marcus Spears, Cowboys.

ATL FORECAST:

Brockers could work in Atlanta due to their likely employment of a hybrid scheme. He can help out the Falcons rotation as a rookie, although he probably won't have huge contributions. But in time as he develops, he can move to more a 3-4 end role if the Falcons look to move in that direction for a more permanent switch, at least with their base personnel. Potentially you're probably looking at him being more of a two-down player for the most part that won't provide much help for the Falcons pass rush. But he could easily be one of their top run defenders a few years down the line. The good thing about Atlanta is that they would not rush his development, which should help him.

VALUE:

Brockers has first round potential, but because of his boom/bust potential should probably be taken in the latter part. A 3-4 team looking for a developmental end could take him in the Top 25, but he'd a bit of a reach if taken before Pick No. 18 or so. He's more in line with the sort of talent that an established 3-4 team is looking for at the very end of Round 1.

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